The dental student who became an F1 natural

NIGEL ROEBUCK recalls the career of Tony Brooks - the six-time Formula 1 world championship race winner, who had an unconventional arrival in the championship and ultimately left before his great potential was realised

When Giancarlo Baghetti spun off in the 1961 British Grand Prix, a spell was broken, for this, the fourth Formula 1 race of his career, was the first he hadn't won.

A fortnight earlier he had taken his Ferrari to victory at Reims, thus becoming the first - and only - man to win a grand prix at the first attempt. Prior to that, he had won non-championship races at Naples and - on his F1 debut - Syracuse.